Jarvis Benjamin Variety Hour

Chaos. Big boys went down left and right last weekend, proving that truly no one is safe in this amazing sport. This week is not as top-heavy; but Oregon/Washington has been calling my name for weeks now!!  I cannot wait.

#Winners went 4-2 last week. The year moves up to 30-17-1 (62.5%); I will continue to provide the public with this knowledge for free. You’re welcome. Last week I said I hoped there was 1 (one) person who was benefitting from these picks. After another winning week, I learned on the artist formerly known as Twitter: there is at least one Jarv-head. X: @JBV60SHOW 

To the task at hand:

1. Georgia Bulldogs (6-0) This Week: -31.5 @Vanderbilt (2-5): There are the Dogs! Carson Beck looked the best he has so far this season, in a game that was never close. (Un?)Fortunately for Georgia: that was the second hardest game they have left in the regular season. The Dogs won’t really be tested this week before they head into the open date. Looking WAY ahead: I probably have a one-loss, non-SEC-Champion Georgia in the Playoff. Feels like as close to a playoff lock as there can be at this point.     

2. Michigan Wolverines (6-0) This Week: -33.5 vs. Indiana (2-3): Michigan is a very good team that is not really upsettable by the bottomfeeders of the Big 10 as currently constructed. They are incredibly strong on both lines and Jim Harbaugh wants everyone he plays against to know it. Smashmouth football at its finest. Probably a little bit of a look-ahead spot lies in front of the Wolverines this week; they will travel to East Lansing to play little brother next week. The 11/11 date with Penn State and the 11/25 date with Ryan Day are rapidly approaching.    

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) This Week: -19.5 @Purdue (2-4): So I was on the wronger side last week when it comes to the Bucks. I expected points from Kyle McCord and co. and that is hopefully the last time I fall into that trap this year. In a shocking turn of events, Coach Day’s strength is his defense! However. This is a HUGE look-ahead, as the Bucks host Penn State next week. The Jarvis forecast? Big lead early, plenty of points for the BoilerMakers late. If you didn’t know: it’s the first annual (maybe) #Overs Week.          

4. Florida State Seminoles (5-0) This Week: -17.5 vs. Syracuse (4-2): It was not as lopsided as I thought it would be but 22-0 after the first probably loosened up the Seminole defense a bit. Jordan Travis did not seem to be too bothered by his shoulder injury and the Seminoles were dominant on the ground. In what seems to be a trend this week, Florida State is probably looking ahead to next week’s matchup against Duke. It should not matter; I’d say a 40-7 loss last week is pretty indicative of how much Syracuse has left in the tank. 

5. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0) This Week: -42 vs. UMass (1-6): Let’s see if I can say the exact same thing I said for Ohio State again, just in different words. State Pen comes off their open date to essentially another one. UMass is a six-touchdown underdog in the look-ahead of all look-aheads; that is pathetic. Since my line prediction for Washington/Oregon was so inaccurate: I’ll take my stab at this one too: Ohio State -6.5. 

6. Oklahoma Sooners (6-0) This Week: IDLE: Told you so. It was laugh-out-loud funny I thought (and wrote that) the game was at AT&T and it was at the AlamoDome. It takes an adult to realize that. It also takes an adult to realize that Texas knew they were out of it relatively early. For those of you who don’t know ball: if a coach (Sark) has to go that deep into the trick-play bag in the first quarter, he probably realizes he’s not getting what he should be on the normal plays. #Think about it. And yes; it’s STILL Dillon Gabriel for Heisman. 

7. USC Trojans (6-0) This Week: +2.5 @Notre Dame (5-2): I’ll talk more about it later; but man would I be nervous this week if I rooted for USC. Stop me if you’ve heard this before (you definitely have): Lincoln Riley just refuses to get a playoff caliber defense! Arizona is not even close to a Pac 12 championship caliber team let alone CFP caliber and they were able to score 41 points and take the Trojans to triple overtime. Gulp. The Conference of Champions is in trouble folks. 

8. Oregon Ducks (5-0) This Week: +3 @Washington (5-0): So last week I predicted Washington +1.5. That would be the only example you should need on why I don’t make the lines, I just pick them. I had it there, because in my opinion, the Ducks are around two points better on a neutral field. According to Vegas? These teams are the exact same on a neutral field. According to Phil Steele? The Ducks are a play; as the Huskies home-field advantage is worth five points. #Think about it. *whispers* the Jarv-Line may have been dead-on. 

9. Washington Huskies (5-0) This Week: -3 vs. Oregon (5-0): For my money, as I have mentioned in weeks prior, this is the game I have been most excited to watch since I knew when it was. The contrarian in me knows that the under is probably the play; but these two offenses are way too good to spend my money that way. I’m rooting for Oregon; I think they are the better team, and I LOVE to be right. I am (most-likely) going to be entertained either way. 

10. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1) This Week: -20 vs. Arkansas (2-4): Last week I called for a win for the Tide against A&M, and they delivered. I also called for Alabama to vault back into contender status; and they did with a little bit of help from some chaos. It was down to the wire, but Coach Saban and his team got the job done at Kyle Field and proved Jarvis right. Jalen Milroe threw for 300+ yards, for what I have to imagine is the first time in his career and the defense forced A&M into three turnovers. The Tide came home with a massive win; and should be favored in every game going forward.     

11. Texas Longhorns (5-1) This Week: BYE: Texas is baaaaaack, to disappointing their fans. In reality? There will be another chance. As I mentioned earlier, Sark and the Horns looked overmatched earlier last week. As I have yet to mention, Texas and Oklahoma are the two best teams in the Big 12 by a considerable amount. They will almost definitely meet up in the Big 12 Championship game with a playoff berth possibly on the line at the end of the regular season. A second chance is truly all you can ask for if you are a Longhorn fan. 

12. North Carolina Tarheels (5-0) This Week: -3.5 vs. Miami (4-1): From a viewership standpoint, I REALLY wish Miami had not lost last week. From a realism standpoint? Any team that can be that poorly coached and lose to Georgia Tech is not a contender long-term. I expect Mack Brown and his squad to take care of business in a big way. If North Carolina can find its’ way into the ACC Championship, Drakey Maye will almost definitely be in NYC for the Heisman ceremony.       

13. Oregon State Beavers (5-1) This Week: -3.5 vs. UCLA (4-1): Man did I not expect any of that to happen last week. 50 points from a DJ-led offense? Yeah right. 40 points against that tough Beaver defense? By Cal? Good one. Oregon State survived, however, and that is the name of the game at this time of the year. This game is obviously not AS crucial to the Pac 12 as Washington/Oregon; but this game is incredibly important. 2 losses is probably too many to qualify for the Conference of Champions Championship Game.     

14. Ole Miss Rebels (5-1) This Week: OPEN: Let me be the first to congratulate Benjamin Mintz on his new girlfriend AND the NIL deal he, and I quote, “was the brainchild of” between Ole Miss and the Brick Watch Company. Not exactly the right wording, but an impressive achievement nonetheless. The Rebs took care of business, and that was about all they did. To be honest, it was all they needed to do. The transition from the win in the previous weekend over LSU with not one stitch of defense played had to be massive emotionally to this week hosting KJ Jefferson. Coach Kiffin’s team was able to rebound and keep their eyes on their big shot: November 11th in Athens. I’m already getting my popcorn ready.      

15. Louisville Cardinals (6-0) This Week: -7.5 @Pittsburgh (1-4): Not entirely sure what to write here, to be totally honest. I’m not sure how Louisville has not lost yet; and looking at the schedule, and now their body of work (puke), I’m not sure if they will? This week won’t be easy, as the trap line suggests. But, the Cardinals most likely get the job done in Pittsburgh Saturday night. From there? Hosting Duke, UVA, VT and then traveling to Miami. I really think they will be somehow favored in every game up until Kentucky in the final week of the season!

16. Utah Utes (4-1) This Week: -13.5 vs. California (3-3): So, here we are again. You’ve definitely heard this before, but I imagine Cam Rising will play this week. I can’t be certain, and I’m not sure anyone really is after all the back-and-forth this year that he’s put us fans through. Utah’s ceiling without him is well below their conference Championship game. Cam or no Cam, they get past Cal here. 

17. Washington State Cougars (4-1) This Week: -8 vs. Arizona (3-3): I told you last week that the line said all you needed to know, and here Wazzu is with a blemish on their record. As I have mentioned, in my mind, one-loss is probably all these Pac 12 teams can afford. Anything more will probably jeopardize the conference’s chance to earn a Playoff berth. Cam Ward did not look phenomenal last week for the first time all year, so I like the Cougs to get back on track this week.  

18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-2) This Week: -2.5 vs. USC (5-0): The absolute worst part of what happened to the Irish this weekend (besides Jack Harlow storming the field) is that they probably can win this game by double digits. If this is the line after Notre Dame lost to Louisville, I can only imagine how many they’d be favored by had they kept the record at one-loss. Just a horrible, terrible, no-good matchup for candy-ass Lincoln Riley. We are about to learn a TON about who Marcus Freeman is as a man.    

19. UCLA Bruins (4-1) This Week: +3.5 @Oregon State (5-1): Yep, beat Wazzu and still ranked below them. I am personally not enamored with the Bruins. Oregon State will almost definitely stifle their offense this week and give them that second loss they are desperately trying to avoid. Dante Moore can probably lead his team to a NY6 bowl if everything goes to plan; but, I think his window will open in the Big 10. #Think about it.

20. Tennessee Volunteers (4-1) This Week: -3.5 vs. Texas A&M (4-2): This is a massive spot for the Vols to make a relatively big jump, in my opinion. They SHOULD be ready; as they were off last week preparing for the Aggies. And? A second loss last week probably put the nail in the coffin on the 2023 season for Jimbo Fisher. Showing up in Neyland is going to be incredibly tough; and it will be even tougher for A&M to win. Let’s see if Joe Milton can be the QB for a Top 15 team. 

21. Kentucky Wildcats (5-1) This Week: -2.5 vs. Missouri (5-1): As I mentioned earlier: the Cats were barely in the game last week. It is a bit unfortunate and feels semi-unfair to the little brothers in these situations (Kentucky, Maryland, etc.); but it truly shows the skill gap that even the P5 Conferences possess. Mizzou is a bit fairer of a fight for Kentucky; and neither team has to really worry about an emotional let-down (both got their backs broken last week). UK probably wins this game.  

22. Duke Blue Devils (4-1) This Week: -3.5 vs. NC State (4-2): From a rooting-for-chaos perspective: I am really hoping Duke pulls this game out Saturday. Sorry Wiger. It won’t be easy against NC State’s new-look MJ Morris-led offense; but the Blue Devils should get it done. A one-loss Duke vs. an undefeated (pick your poison, it’s three of the next four weeks!) FSU, Louisville, or UNC is a far more entertaining game than if Duke loses this week. All those are, are the facts.      

23. Wisconsin Badgers (4-1) This Week: -10 vs. Iowa (5-1): The Big 10 West Championship Game came early this year folks. Yes; in theory many of the bottom feeders I referred to earlier still only have one conference loss so they are still technically in the running. No; no one from the group of Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, etc. is going to finish the season with one loss. Fair? Fair. Get ready to jump around Coach Fickell, a trip to the Big 10 Championship SHOULD be in your future.    

24. Kansas Jayhawks (5-1) This Week: -3 @Oklahoma State (3-2): This team is just too fun to not rank. Mike Gundy will almost definitely catch them this week; but this is now another (most-likely) step in the right direction season for the #1 ranked college basketball team!! Lawrence is quickly becoming a multi-talented sports city. I’ll go as far as say Jalon Daniels is probably a pro. 

25. Wyoming Cowboys (5-1) This Week: +10.5 @Air Force (5-0): Now for the Mountain West portion of the program. Jarvis, how can the team that is a 10-point underdog be better than their undefeated opponent? They just are, promise; and no, not just because they beat Fresno State. I will be responsibly on Wyoming moneyline. #Fuck the points. 

26. Air Force Falcons (5-0) This Week: -10.5 vs. Wyoming (5-1): Wyoming’s one loss is to Texas, who they took to almost the fourth quarter in a close game. Prove me wrong and I’ll eat these words Air Force. 

27. Missouri Tigers (5-1) This Week: +2.5 @Kentucky (5-1): Pour out multiple for anyone who had Mizzou plus the points last week. Horrifying stuff.  

28. James Madison Dukes (5-0) This Week: -6 vs. Georgia Southern (4-1): #Fun #Belt #Probable #Champions #With #A #HUGE #Game

29. LSU Tigers (4-2) This Week: -11 vs. Auburn (3-2): Pretty much all B-Skelly has to play for at this point, is spoiling Bama’s season on 11/4.

30. Miami Hurricanes (4-1) This Week: +3.5 @North Carolina (5-0): How/Why does this even happen? (LINK)  

Shoutout to the Orioles. It’s just the beginning. Shoutout to the Devils. It’s time. 

200 years too late. 

Be Well.

JB